Chapter 30

Out of the box emerged a long sword, its edges jagged like the teeth of a saw.

I withdrew the weapon, carefully examining its detailed specifications.

[Rat Cutter (R) Lv.15]

- Category: Longsword

- Attack Power: 20-25

- Durability: 25/25

- Inflicts an additional 25% damage when attacking rat-type monsters.

""Let's catch the rats, catch the rats, squeak squeak squeak!" - A certain sewer manager"

Was it a consequence of clearing a dungeon infested with those rat devils that the equipment was themed around rats?

'This could come in handy.'

I promptly passed the longsword to Lucas. Among all of us, he was the sole character who could wield a sword, so it was the natural choice.

"Lucas, this is for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lucas, accepting it promptly, appeared awkward.

"But I already have my own sword..."

The sword Lucas originally used was also of R-ranking. It wasn't a particularly exceptional weapon worthy of replacing his treasured blade.

However...

"Just hold onto it. You'll find a use for it."

The unique attribute linked to this equipment could be useful.

At my words, Lucas silently sheathed the new sword at his waist. It now appeared as though he was brandishing two blades.

As I observed this with satisfaction, I reached beneath the box. There should be another item, right?

"Found it."

My hand latched onto something. As I tugged it out...

[Summon Scroll: Automatic Defense Turret ]

A single scroll, shimmering with a magical blue.

"That's the one!"

I exclaimed in delight.

This was a guaranteed item drop from exploration zone 1. In fact, it would be no overstatement to say that I ventured here to retrieve this.

"Your Majesty, what's that? A magic scroll?"

Lucas inclined his head, studying the blueprint in my hand. I quietly stowed the blueprint in my pocket.

"You'll discover what this is soon."

Having gathered all the rewards, there was no need to linger here any longer.

"Okay, time to move out!"

I gestured toward the back of the box. The door leading out of the boss room stood wide open.

"Hooray~!"

Lilly, her arms spread wide in high spirits, was the first to eagerly wheel herself out.

"Wait a moment, Lilly! Don't stray alone, it's risky!"

Lucas and the remaining party members quickly followed, and I was the last to exit the boss room.

[Zone 1: The Dried Sewer]

- Clear progress: Normal room 3/3 Boss room 1/1

- Treasure Chests Acquired: 2/2

All clear.

I had scoured all rooms and located all treasure chests.

'First exploration zone completion rate 100%!'

It was a promising start.

With a spring in my step, I ambled along the following corridor. The sewer journey had come to a close.

The narrow, damp path led to an expansive area.

[Zone 2: Hidden Alley]

The second exploration region of the dungeon. I had reached the Hidden Alley.

From here on, it was the 'Lake Kingdom' proper.

The party members who had exited the sewer ahead of me were all standing still.

Holding torches in their hands, the members were surveying their surroundings.

"What on earth is this..."

Hearing Damien's unsettled murmur, I too began examining our surroundings.

'Bustling.'

It was a city street, teeming with life.

The lofty buildings rivaled those in Seoul back on Earth.

Beneath the towering skyscrapers, the roads were impeccably maintained, adorned with intricate patterns and embellishments.

Even this mere back alley was so elaborate.

A city fashioned by the zenith of magical civilization.

That was the identity of the abandoned Lake Kingdom.

Yet, not a flicker of light could be seen in this thriving city. No signs of life were apparent.

It was cloaked in an unending darkness, motionless as though dead.

The city's back alley, paved with five-colored stone tiles, was also swallowed up by the pitch-black night.

A lone street lamp illuminated a corner, providing the only source of light.

Rustle, rustle...

The soft sound of insects gnawing on something echoed from all around.

The noise of the encroaching darkness.

"..."

"..."

Sensing the presence of darkness, the party members promptly readied their weapons.

"The base is a safe zone. You all don't need to be so on edge."

I calmed the party members and moved towards the street lamp.

A stack of familiar-looking stones lay next to the lamp.

As I laid my hand on the pile of stones, they rotated and ascended, eventually morphing into a teleportation gate.

Ding!

[Connection to the 'Sector 2: Hidden Alley' base established!]

The teleportation gate was linked.

Simultaneously,

[You cannot proceed to the next area yet.]

A message appeared indicating that the next area was not yet accessible.

I cast a fleeting glance at the alley enveloped in swirling darkness. I had no intentions of venturing further today.

If we did, we'd be consumed.

"Great work everyone. That's it for today!"

Clapping my hands, I activated the teleportation gate.

[Teleportation Gate]

- Please select your destination.

> Backyard of the Lord's Mansion

> Lakeside Pier

> The Dried Sewer

> ....

I selected the backyard of the Lord's mansion.

As the teleportation gate activated, the magical door gleamed.

Standing before the path leading to the brightly lit house, I offered my party members a radiant smile.

"Time to clock out!"

***

[Free exploration ended!]

[Leveled up characters]

- Ash(EX) Lv.9 (↑1)

- Lilly(R) Lv.20 (↑1) (First job change is possible!)

- Damien(N) Lv.21 (↑1)

[Achieved equipment]

- Rat Cutter(R)

[Achieved item]

- Summon Scroll: Automatic Defense Turret

- Dungeon Escape Teleportation Scroll

***

At the location where Ash and his party had departed.

In the darkness enveloping the 'Hidden Alley' base, a man gradually surfaced.

Dressed in the attire of a minstrel and donning a black hooded hat, the man stepped forward.

"...The last player, huh?"

Cradling the grey flute in his hand, the man whispered quietly.

"So, it has finally come to this."

Squeak-

The man breathed gently into the flute, causing the darkness to undulate.

Creak, creak...

Then, countless red eyes flickered to life on either side of the man, spreading out like falling dominoes.

As if a red galaxy, thousands of eyes sparkled in the blackness.

"Forgive us for our sins."

Surrounded by a throng of sewer rats, the man bowed his head.

"All for the sake of the Lake Kingdom."

***

By the time they made their way back to the Crossroads, the shroud of late night had already descended.

"Whoa..."

Worn out, Lilly slumped in her wheelchair.

"We... we made it back alive..."

"You did an excellent job, Lilly."

As I patted Lilly's shoulder, I scanned the other party members.

"You all must be weary and drained. Rest well."

"I'm not sure if we can rest..."

Jupiter held a cigarette between her lips.

"To think that a city of such magical civilization is submerged under the lake, swallowed by that darkness. I can't even begin to comprehend what transpired."

"..."

"And above all, that darkness."

The tips of the old woman's fingers trembled subtly.

"That darkness... it was clearly 'abnormal.'"

"..."

"Do you have anything more to divulge to us, your Majesty?"

All eyes fell upon me.

I hesitated for a moment, but gently shook my head.

"Not now."

Even though I had completed the game to its conclusion, the story of the game didn't explicitly disclose why the Lake Kingdom had ended up in its current state.

We merely made educated guesses while collecting the scattered, fragmentary clues.

But, this time, I had a hunch.

A hunch that I would have to delve into the heart of that city myself and unravel all the truths.

So, this was all I could tell the party members.

"We'll uncover it together as we press on."

Jupiter lit her cigarette with a smirk.

"I don't think I can sleep sober tonight. I'll have to indulge in a drink."

"Me too!"

Lilly raised her hand.

"Let's go together, Officer Jupiter! I can't sleep either unless I drown my senses."

"I don't mind, miss. I'll take you to a worthy spot."

The two spirited women departed for the city together. They seemed remarkably close.

"I'll retreat to the temple."

Damien gave me a faint smile.

"I'm a tad frightened considering that darkness, but I think praying at the temple will grant me some peace."

"Okay. You did well, Damien. Rest well."

The party disbanded.

Even though all I executed was a single Prince Punch, I was utterly drained.

Merely visiting a dungeon sapped your mental energy and stamina. Oh, dear.

"Let's head back. We need to rest."

"Yes, your Majesty."

As Lucas and I retreated to the mansion, he turned to me with a question.

"Your Majesty, are we not heading back into the dungeon?"

"Huh? We're not going until the next defensive battle. Why?"

Did he crave to revisit that daunting place often? Well, if they had some spare time, they could send parties to gain experience and farm in already cleared zones.

"Don't we need to ascertain what kind of monster will attack next? Do we not need to scout like the previous time?"

"Ah, I see your point."

Lucas was questioning if there was a need to scrutinize the monster hordes arising from the lake, akin to their actions in the previous stage. At that time, they had pre-emptively confirmed that they were dealing with living armors.

But.

"We've already conducted our scouting."

This time, the reconnaissance was already completed.

I flashed Lucas a cunning smile when I noted his perplexity.

"The monster horde that's going to strike next is the Rat Legion."

"What? Ah...!"

A sigh tumbled from Lucas's lips.

Monster legions are 'overflowing' entities birthed from the Lake Kingdom's origin. These monsters that have overflowed first filled up the free exploration area beneath the lake, squirming around, and when they crossed the threshold, they surged out of the lake.

These creatures crawled out from the lake and assailed the city.

"The monsters we encounter during free exploration are the ones we will face in the next defense."

"Indeed, it seems so."

Although it is randomly determined each time, visiting the dungeon in advance gives us knowledge of the upcoming enemy.

"For the next defense, prepare to confront these rat monsters. Of course, it won't be simple..."

Nevertheless, they had a reasonable amount of time.

While the rats were terrifying, they were simpler to tackle than the living armors.

'We can handle it.'

As I tried to maintain an optimistic mindset, I flung open the mansion's entrance.

"We're back! Is dinner and bath water ready, Aider?"

"Oh, my, my, the Lord is home!"

Aider quickly scampered out from inside the mansion.

"We have a significant issue, oh my!"

Aider appeared flustered.

Taken aback, I blinked.

I had been anticipating a warm meal and bath water, but when Aider suddenly began shouting, it was startling.

"What's the matter? Calm down and explain."

"We don't have reinforcements!"

"...What?"

What did he just say?

His words were a piercing stab in my ears, which had stiffened from the shock.

"From the capital, and even from nearby cities! They claim they can't dispatch any reinforcements!"

But why on earth!